Tufting-machine.



E. D. BARGHMAN, TUITIN G MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. B, 1907.

905,629. Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET- 1.

WI TNESSES I N VEN TOR.'

ATTORNEY.

tHE (mums PETERS ca. wasnmman, n c.

E. D. BARCHMAN. TUFTING MACHINE. APPLIGATYION FILED Nov. s, 1907.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Fgg. 6. 66

. m m m WITNESSES-- ATTORNEY.

EDWARD D. BARCHMAN, OF TIITON, INDIANA.

TUFTING-MACHINE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

Application filed November 8, V1907. Serial No. 401,225.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD D. BARCH-v MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tipton, in the county of Tipton and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tufting-Machines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, reference being .had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to machines that are adapted to be employed in the making of cushions, especially tufted cushions, the invention having reference particularly to machines whereby the cushions may be formed to the required shapes to be finished by other means.

Objects of the invention are to provide an improved tufting machine that will enable manufacturers of cushions to accomplish the shaping and tufting o erations expeditiously and therefore cheap y, and to provide an improved tufting machine that will be adapted for hand use and capable of shaping cushions uniformly and artistically, and which will be durable and economical in use and be relatively inexpensive to reduce.

The invention comprises a tab e on which cushions may be formed and provided with guide openings, a needle frame or frames spring pressed upward toward the bottom of t e tab e and carrying tufting needles mov able through the guide openings of the table means for operating and controlling the needleV frame, a cushion frame mounted removably on the table and provided with means for holding the fabric of the cushions while being filled or stuffed, and a frame for shaping the filling material on the fabric. And the invention consists further in certain novel features or elements of construction and in the parts and combinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafter particularly described and defined in the accom panying claims.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of a tufting machine cons tructed substantially in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2, a side elevationV of the machine; Fig. 3, a transverse sectional view on the line A A in Fig. 1; Fig. 4, -a top plan view of the machine 5 Fig. 5, a fragmentary sectional elevation showing one of the improved tufting needles in connection with the needle frame; Fig. 6, a fragmentary de tail of the improved shaping frame; Fig. 7, a transverse sectional view on the line B B in Fig. 6; Fig. 8, a side elevation of one of the improved clamp devices for securing the fabric to the cushion frame; Fig. 9, a perspective view of the clamp; and, Fig. 10, a sectional detail view showing one of the buttons for holding a wooden strip on the cushion frame while being fastened to the cushion fabric.

Similar reference characters throughout the various figures of the drawings designate corresponding elements or features of construction.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, one group of the tufting needles are shown in their lowermost positions, and another group of the needles are shown in their u permost positions as when projected throug a cushion to receive the cords and buttons usually employed when forming cushions with biscuits, and in Fig. 4 the needles are not visible, being assumed to be in their lowermost positions.

In the drawings the machine embodying the invention is illustrated as being adapted for producing cushions for the backs of carriage seats, such cushions being attached permanently to the seat backs, and it will be understood of course that various other shapes or styles of cushions may be produced by slightly modified machines with a greater or lesser number yof tufting needles than the number shown.

The machine comprises four upright inembers as 1, 2, 3 and 4, forming sup orting legs or osts at the four corners of tile machine an two other upright members 5 and 6 at the plane of the middle ofthe machine frame and such braces as may be desired, all forming parts of a main frame having a horizontal frame 7 on the top thereof upon which is a table 8 to su ort a cushion while being formed, the tablb being preferably com osed of wood and having a metallic guide p ate 9 suitably attached to the under side thereof so as to form a art thereof, said table having a suitable num er of rows of guide openings therein as 10, 10', 10 and 10', all extending through the metallic plate for guiding the tufting needles, each row having any desired number of guide openings therein. The main frame comprises also two horizontal bars 11 and 12, either bar being suitably at.` tached to a pair of the corner upright members or legs at a suitable distance below the table 8. The bar 11 has a pair of brackets 13 and 14 mounted thereon, and a bar 12 has a pair of companion brackets 15 and 16 mounted thereon. Also the bar 11 has another pair of brackets 17 and 18 mounted thereon and the bar 12 has another companion pair of brackets 19 and V20 mounted thereon, each bracket preferably having a slot 21 therein by which it is secured adjustably by a bolt 22 extending through the slot in such manner as to permit of vertical adjustment of the brackets. A pair of guide rods 23 and 24 are connected to the brackets 13 and 14, similar guide rods 25 and 26 being connected to the brackets 15 and 16; another pair of guide rods 27 and 28 are connected to the brackets 17 and 18 and a similar pair of guide rods 29 and 30 are connected to the brackets 19 and 20, each guide rod being connected rigidly to the table 8 in any suitable manner, and to the brackets lby nuts 31 so that the guide rods may be strained tightly. On either of the several guide rods are coiled springs 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 or 39, there being a spring on each rod and seated on one of the brackets above described. On the foremost set of four springs and guide rods is a needle frame 40 preferably composed of a wooden board and provided at the under side thereof with a longitudinal rib 40, the frame resting upon the springs which normally act to elevate the frame, the guide rods extending through suitable openings in the frame. Another somewhat .similar needle frame 41 having a rib 41 is mounted in a similar manner on the other set of four springs and guide rods. One needle frame has a row of tufting needles 42 and another row of needles 42 mounted thereon, the other needle frame having a row of needles 43 and another row of needles 43 mounted thereon, all of the tufting needles being alike and extending into the guide openings in the table 8 to be projected upward a suitable distance by the springs on which the needle frames are mounted. Each needle has a sharpened oint 44 in which is an eye 45, the needle iiaving a relatively long shank provided with screw threads 46 that extends through an opening 47 in the needle frame 40 or 41, the screw threads having a nut 48 thereon that is normally seated on the top of the needle frame and a lock nut 48 also on the screw threads and ,seated against the under side of the frame, so that each needle may be adjusted vertically with respect to the needle frame and permit of ready removal of any of the needles, and that any number of needles may be em loyed as occasion may require. A pair o operating levers 49 and 50 areconnected by a pivot 51 to the upright member 6 of the main frame and Vextend forward past opposite sides of the upright member 5, the lever 49 being connected by a link 52 to the rib 40 of the needle frame 40 at the middle portion thereof, the lever 50 being connected by a link 52 to the rib 41 of the needle frame 41 at the middle portion thereof, for drawing the needle frames or retracting them downward and thus compressing the supporting springs. A plate 53 of metal is suitably secured to the front of the member 5 and has lateral ratchet teeth 54 and 54 projecting beyond the sides of the member 5 to be engaged by the levers 49 or 50 so as to lock the levers to hold the tufting needles in their lowermost positions. The levers are guided in their vertical movements by guides 55 and 55 that are mounted on the member 5.

A cushion frame normally rests upon the table 8 and comprises a front rail 56 and a rear rail 57 and also side rails 58 and 59, all of the rails being suitably joined together at their ends so as to form a rectangular frame, the corners being preferably joined together adjustably but rigidly by means of slots 60 and 60 in the end of one rail, and slots 61 and 61 in the end of the companion rail, there being binding screws 62 and 62 ex-` tending through the slots of the two rails so as to bind them securely together, either rail lying upon the companion rail, so that the dimensions of the frame may be readily increased or decreased and therefore be adjustable to different sizes of cushions which it may be desired to make. The front rail 56 has a metallic plate 63 suitably secured on the top thereof on which is suitably secured a gage plate 64 preferably composed of wood, the plate 63 having an upturned flange 65 opposite to the plate 64 and s aced a suitable distance therefrom, so t at a wooden strip (sometimes attached to cushions) may be placed on the plate 63 against the gage plate 64 to be held in such position by a pair of springs 66 and 66 that are mounted on the fiange 65. A pair of buttons 67 and 67 are mounted on the gage plate 64 and are adapted to hold the wooden strip down on the plate 63, the buttons as shown in Fig. 10 preferably comprising a bar pivoted on a screw 68 and held yieldingly on the plate 67 by a spring 69 interposed between the head of the screw and the button, each button preferably having a knob' 70 for conveniently swinging it about its pivot. A row comprising a suitable number of clamps as 71 and 71 are mounted at suitable distances apart on the gage late 64 by which tosecure an edge of the fa ric and cover for the cushion. Also somewhat similar clamps 72 and 72 are mounted on the rail 58, and other clamps- 73 and 73 are mounted on the rail 59, there being similar clamps as 74 and 74 mounted on the rear rail 57 of the cushion frame. The clamps that are mounted on the rails 57, 58 and 59 are all alike and are adapted to hold the fabric that forms the back of the cushion in stretched condition and also to hold the fabric and cover on the front of the cushion,

these clamps being illustrated in detail in Figs. 8 and 9, each one comprising a base late 75 having securing ears 76 and a rojection 77 that is pressed up from the p ate, and a s ring clip 78 having one end resting on the base plate and with it secured by a screw 79 to the cushion frame, the opposite end of the 4spring clip normally standing away from the base plate and having an opening 8O therein to receive the projection 77, the latter being rounded on top so as to engage the sides of the opening. The base plate 75 has two opposite upturned ears 8]. and 81, and a lever 82 is connected to the ears by a pivot 88, the lever being provided with cams 84 whereby to force the spring clip 78 down against the projection 77, so that when the edge of a sheet of fabric is placed on the projections 77, it may be fastened by means of the spring clip 78. The end of the plate 75 is turned up and sharpened to form a pointed spur 85 to which the fabric back of the cushion may be hooked. The clam s as 71 and 7l on the gage plate 64 are li e those above described except that the s urs 85 are omitted on machines for ma ing cushions with a wooden strip placed in the lower portion thereof, As supplemental to the clamps, the rails 58 and 59 are provided with spurs 86 and 86 and 87 and 8,7 respectively, to which the back fabric may be fastened near the forward and rear rails of the frame, these spurs performing the same functions as. the spurs 85. The cushion frame rests of its own weight on the table 8 and is removable therefrom, but obviously may be temporarily fastened to the table by any suita le means.

In ord er to shape the filling of the cushions and thereby determine the shape of the cushions when finished, a filling frame is provided which is preferably adjustable in size and comprises two members 88 and 88 that are connected together adjustably by a clasp 89 and are attached to side members 90 and 90 to which are connected clasps 89 and 89" having curved members 91 and 91 connected adjustably thereto, the latter members being connected together adjustably by a clasp 89, each clasp having two binding screws 92 and 92 which extend through slots 93 in the ends of the members of the frame as shown in Fig. 6, so that the dimensions of the frame may be changed in either direction, the frame being portable so as to be lifted from the filling after it has been shaped for the cushion.

It should be understood that the machine may have only one needle frame carrying any suitable number of needles, or a greater number of needle frames than those described may be emplo ed if required.

In baclif cushions it is sometimes desirable to place a wooden stri in the lower art of the cushion between t e front and t e rear layers of fabric, or behind the rear layer, to`

assist in preserving the shape of the cushion when placed in position in the vehicle; also, the stripwhen attached to the layers obviates the necessity for otherwise binding the front and back of the cushion together in more expensive manner.

In practical use, the wooden strip similar to a lath which in some cases is employed, is to be placed on the metal plate 63 and held by the buttons 67 and 67 and the springs 66 and 66 the tufting needles of course being retracted so as to not project above the table 8, then the fabric that is to form the back of the cushion is placed upon the table and fastened to the spurs 85 of the clamps and also to the se arate spurs on the rails 58 and 59, being p aced in stretched condition and should then be tacked to the wooden strip, then the filling frame is to be laced on the fabric and may be spaced readl y with reference to the flange 65 or the clam s so as to be in proper position, after which t e material such as curled hair or excelsior is to be placed on the fabric within the frame and ressed in by hand so as to form a cushion of t e desired thickness, after which the filling frame may be removed. In some cases the needles may be elevated and thimbles placed thereon before putting in the filling, so that the front and back ofD the cushion may be more readily drawn close together, the thimbles being removed before applying the front of the cushion. When the front sheet of the cushion is spread u on the filling, the edges are to be fastened by the clips 78 and then the needles may be pushed through the material forming the front of the cushion, after which the cords attached to the buttons commonly employed may be inserted in the eyes of the needles an then drawn through the cushion by depressing the levers 49 and 50, so that the buttons will be drawn down against the front of the cushion so as to form the so-called biscuits. Then the cushion frame and the incomplete cushion may be lifted from the table 8 and taken elsewhere to be finished in the usual manner.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. A tufting machine including an aperturedtable, a plurality of guides supported under the table, a needle-frame mounted on the guides, a toothed plate iXedly supported, springs to move the needle-frame in one direction, a lever connected with the needleframe to move the same in the opposite direction and engaging the toothed plate to adjust the needle-frame relative to the table, and tufting needles mounted on the needleframe to be projected thereby through the apertured table.

2, A tufting machine including an apertured table, a plurality of guides, a needleframe mounted movably on the guides toward or from the table, tufting needles mounted on the needle-frame to be rojected thereby through the a ertured tab e, a lever connected to the need e-frame for moving it and controlling its position relative to the table, a cushion-frame on the table, and a lurality of plates attached to the cushionrame and having each a projection thereon, aspring-clip attached to the plate and having an aperture to receive the projection, and a lever pivoted to the plate to force the spring-clip onto the projection.

8. A tufting machine including an apertured table, a plurality of guides, a needleframe mounted movably on the guides toward or from the table, tufting needles mounted on the needle-frame to be projected therebyr through the table, a lever connected to the needle-frame for moving it and controlling its position relative to the table, a cushion-frame on the table and comprising a plurality of members having each two slots in each end thereof, and bolts in the slots securing the ends together, two members of the cushion frame having clamps thereon, one of the two members having also spurs thereon, and two other members having clamps and spurs thereon.

4. A tufting machine including a cushionframe comprising a front member having a gage-plate and also a flange opposite to the gagelate, a device for fastening a cushion strip etween the gage plate and the flange, a pair of side members connected to the front member, a rear member connected to the side members, a plurality of clamping devices mounted on the front member, clamping devices mounted on the rear member and side members, and spurs mounted on the rear member and side members.

5. A tufting machine including a main frame having a table provided with guide openings, a plurality of guide rods supported by the frame and having springs thereon, a needle-frame mounted on the guides to be moved by the springs in one direction, a lever connected to the needle-frame to move the same in the opposite direction, and tufting-needles mounted on the needle-frame to be projected thereby through the guideopenings of the table.

6. A tufting machine including a -main frame having a table provided with guideopenings, a plate secured to the frame and having teeth thereon, a pair of needleframes mounted in the frame, a pair of levers mounted on the frame and connected to the needle-frames, one to either needle-frame and cooperating with teeth of the plate, and tufting needles mounted on the needleframe to be projected thereby through the guide-openings.

7. In a tufting machine, the combination of a main frame, an apertured table on the main frame, a needle-frame mounted movably in the main frame below the table and provided with a controlling and operating lever, tufting-needles mounted on the needleframe to be projected thereby through the apertured table, and springs sup orted adjustably on the main frame an normally tending to force the needle-frame towards the table.

8. 1n a tufting machine, the combination of a main frame, an apertured table on the main frame, a needle-frame mounted movably in the main frame below the table, tufting-needles mounted on the needleframe to be projected thereby through the table, a level` connected with the needleframe and the main frame for moving the needle-frame and holding the same in adjusted positions, a cushion-frame having clamps and spurs thereon and provided with a gage-plate, an upturned fiange fixed opposite to the gage-plate and having a spring thereon opposed to the gage-plate, buttons mounted on the gage-plate, and clamps on the gage-plate.

9. In a tufting machine, the combination of a main frame, an apertured table on the main frame, a needle-frame supported movably by the main frame, means for moving the needle-frame, tufting-needles mounted on the needle-frame to be projected thereby through the apertured table, a cushion-frame on the table, clamps and spurs on the cushion-frame, and a filling frame arranged removably on the table and comprising two straight front members having each a side member attached thereto, a clasp connecting the two straight members together, two rear curved members having each a side member formed integral therewith, a clasp connecting the two rear curved members together, and clasps connecting the side members of the rear member to the side members of the front member, the ends of all of said members being slotted, and binding screws connected to the clasps and extending through the slots of said members.

10. In a tufting machine, the combination of a main frame, an apertured table on the main frame, a needle-frame mounted in the main frame to move toward or from the main frame, tufting needles mounted on the needle-frame to be projected through the apertured table, a cushion-frame arranged removably on the table, a plurality of spurs on the cushion-frame, and a plurality of securing devices attached to the cushion-frame and comprising each a metallic base plate having two lateral securing ears thereon and =also a projection pressed up from the metal near the ears, said plate having one end thereof turned up and forming a spur and having also two upturned ears near the securing ears, a spring clip having 'one end thereof secured to the plate and extending between In testimony whereof, I ax my signature tllle uptuned erfs, the opolsite enkof the in presence of two witnesses. ci stan in o rom sai ate an avn anpaperture gthereon oppositg said pressed-ug EDWARD D' BARCHMAN 5 projection, and a lever pvotally connected Witnesses:

to the upturned ears and having two cams JEFFERSON R. HILLDRUP, engaging the clip. MELVILLE O. MoeK. 

